Privacy Policy

1. Introduction and Our Commitment

Welcome to Simulations With You, operated from Australia. We are deeply committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we handle information when you visit our website. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and what choices you have regarding your data.

This Privacy Policy is governed by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). We are committed to handling your personal information in accordance with Australian privacy law and respecting your privacy rights.

At Simulations With You, we believe in minimal data collection. Our website is designed as a free relaxation and mindfulness resource, offering interactive simulations and games to help you unwind and take a mental break. We do not require user accounts, we do not sell your data, and we collect only the most essential information needed to provide and improve our services.

By accessing or using our website, you agree to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our practices, please do not use our website. We encourage you to read this policy carefully and reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns about how we handle your personal information.

2. Information We Collect

We collect minimal information to ensure our website functions properly and to understand how visitors use our services. The information we collect falls into two main categories: information you provide directly and information collected automatically.

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

Since we do not require user accounts or login credentials, the only information you might provide directly is:

• Contact Information: If you choose to contact us through our contact form or email, we collect your name and email address so we can respond to your inquiry.
• Feedback and Suggestions: Any comments, questions, or feedback you choose to share with us.
• Browser Settings: Local storage preferences such as your choice of simulation settings or game preferences, which are stored only in your browser and not transmitted to our servers.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, certain information is collected automatically through standard web technologies:

• Usage Data: Pages you visit, time spent on pages, links clicked, and navigation patterns within our website.
• Device Information: Your device type (desktop, tablet, mobile), operating system, and browser type.
• IP Address: Your Internet Protocol (IP) address, which may indicate your general geographic location (country or city level).
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: Small text files stored on your device to help us remember your preferences and analyze website traffic. See Section 5 for more details on cookies.
• Referral Information: The website or search engine that referred you to our site.

We do not collect sensitive personal information such as social security numbers, financial information, health data, or precise geolocation data.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for legitimate purposes related to operating and improving our website. Specifically, we use your information to:

3.1 Provide and Maintain Our Services

• Deliver the simulations, games, and content you request
• Remember your preferences and settings across visits
• Ensure our website functions properly on different devices and browsers
• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support

3.2 Improve and Optimize Our Website

• Analyze how visitors use our website to identify popular content and features
• Understand which simulations and games are most helpful for relaxation
• Identify and fix technical issues or bugs
• Test new features and improvements
• Optimize website performance and loading times

3.3 Protect Our Website and Users

• Detect and prevent fraud, spam, or abusive behavior
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Comply with legal obligations and respond to legal requests

3.4 Communication (Only if You Contact Us)

• Respond to your questions, comments, or feedback
• Send important updates about our services or this Privacy Policy (rarely and only when necessary)

We do not use your information for marketing purposes, and we will never send you promotional emails or advertisements unless you explicitly request to receive updates from us.

4. Third-Party Services and Data Sharing

We use a limited number of third-party services to help us operate and improve our website. These services may collect and process information on our behalf, subject to their own privacy policies.

4.1 Third-Party Services We Use

4.2 Google AdSense

We use Google AdSense to display advertisements on our website. Google AdSense may use cookies and web beacons to display ads based on your visits to this site and other websites across the Internet. You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings or by visiting aboutads.info.

4.3 When We Share Information

We only share your information in the following limited circumstances:

• With Service Providers: We share information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our website, subject to confidentiality obligations.
• For Legal Reasons: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.
• Business Transfers: If our website is acquired by or merged with another company, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
• With Your Consent: We may share information for other purposes with your explicit consent.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website and to collect information about how you use our services.

5.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They help websites remember your preferences, recognize you on return visits, and analyze how you use the site.

5.2 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for our website to function properly. These cookies enable core features like security and accessibility.
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences, such as your choice of simulation mode or language settings.
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously.
• Advertising Cookies: Used by Google AdSense to display relevant ads based on your browsing behavior.

5.3 Managing Cookies

You have several options for managing cookies:

• Browser Settings: Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies through their settings. Please note that disabling cookies may affect your ability to use certain features of our website.
• Opt-Out Tools: You can opt out of personalized advertising cookies through industry opt-out pages such as aboutads.info or youronlinechoices.com.

5.4 Local Storage

In addition to cookies, we may use browser local storage to save your preferences and settings. Unlike cookies, local storage data is not transmitted to our servers and remains only on your device. You can clear local storage through your browser settings.

6. Data Security and Retention

We take the security of your information seriously and implement reasonable measures to protect it from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

6.1 Security Measures

• Encryption: Our website uses HTTPS encryption to protect data transmitted between your browser and our servers.
• Access Controls: We limit access to personal information to employees and service providers who need it to perform their duties.
• Regular Security Reviews: We periodically review our security practices and update them as necessary.

6.2 Data Retention

We retain your information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. Specifically:

• Usage Data: Typically retained for 12-24 months for analytics purposes, then aggregated or deleted.
• Contact Information: Retained as long as necessary to respond to your inquiry, then deleted unless you request ongoing communication.
• Local Storage: Stored in your browser until you clear it manually or until it expires (typically set to not expire unless you clear your browser data).

7. Your Privacy Rights and Choices

Under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), you have important rights regarding your personal information. We respect these rights and are committed to facilitating your ability to exercise them.

7.1 Access and Correction (APP 12 & 13)

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and to request that we correct any inaccuracies or update incomplete information. Since we collect minimal information and do not require accounts, most of your data is stored locally in your browser.

To request access or correction, please contact us using the details in Section 12. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 30 days. We may charge a reasonable fee for providing access to your information, but we will notify you of any fees before processing your request.

7.2 Deletion and De-identification

You can request that we delete or de-identify your personal information where it is no longer needed for the purposes for which it was collected. To delete locally stored preferences, simply clear your browser's cookies and local storage. If you have contacted us and want your contact information deleted, please email us at the address in Section 12.

Please note that we may need to retain certain information to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, or enforce our agreements.

7.3 Opt-Out of Tracking and Marketing

You can opt out of cookies and tracking through:

• Your browser settings (to block or delete cookies)
• Google Ads Settings (to opt out of personalized advertising)
• Do Not Track browser settings (though not all websites honor this signal)

We do not use your personal information for direct marketing purposes. If our practices change in the future, we will provide you with the option to opt out of receiving marketing communications.

7.4 Data Portability

Since we collect minimal personal information and do not maintain user accounts, data portability is generally not applicable. However, if you have specific concerns or requests, please contact us and we will work with you to address them.

7.5 Australian Privacy Rights

In addition to the rights listed above, you have the following rights under Australian privacy law:

• Right to Complain: You have the right to lodge a complaint with us about how we handle your personal information. Please use the contact details in Section 12.
• Right to Complain to OAIC: If you are not satisfied with our response to your complaint, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au or by calling 1300 363 992.
• Right to Anonymous Interactions: Where practicable, you have the option to interact with us anonymously or using a pseudonym. However, this may limit our ability to provide certain services.

7.6 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of your privacy rights, please contact us using the details provided in Section 12. We will verify your identity before processing your request and respond within a reasonable timeframe as required by Australian privacy law.

8. Children's Privacy

Our website is designed for a general audience and is not specifically directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years of age.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information without your consent, please contact us immediately at the address provided in Section 10. We will take prompt steps to delete such information from our records.

For users between the ages of 13 and 18, we recommend that you review this Privacy Policy with a parent or guardian to ensure you understand how we handle your information.

9. International Users and Cross-Border Data Transfers

Simulations With You is operated from Australia. Our website infrastructure and some third-party service providers may be located in other countries, including the United States.

9.1 Cross-Border Disclosure (APP 8)

When we disclose your personal information to overseas recipients (such as cloud hosting providers or analytics services), we take reasonable steps to ensure that the overseas recipient does not breach the Australian Privacy Principles in relation to that information. Specifically, we:

• Only use reputable service providers with appropriate privacy and security safeguards
• Enter into contractual arrangements that require overseas recipients to handle personal information in accordance with Australian privacy standards
• Ensure that overseas recipients are subject to privacy laws or binding schemes that provide substantially similar protections to the APPs

9.2 Countries Where Data May Be Transferred

Your personal information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the following countries:

• United States: Where our cloud hosting services (AWS) and advertising services (Google AdSense) are based
• Other Countries: Where our content delivery networks or analytics providers operate

9.3 Your Consent to Cross-Border Transfers

By using our website and providing your personal information, you consent to the cross-border transfer of your information to the countries listed above, in accordance with this Privacy Policy and the Australian Privacy Principles.

If you have concerns about cross-border data transfers, please contact us using the details in Section 12, and we will work with you to address your concerns within the limits of our technical capabilities.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.

If we make material changes that significantly affect your privacy rights, we will notify you by:

• Posting a prominent notice on our website
• Sending an email to the address you provided (if you have contacted us previously)

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information. Your continued use of our website after changes to this policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated terms.

11. Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including advertisers, external resources, or partner sites. This Privacy Policy applies only to our website and does not cover any third-party websites.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites. When you click on a link to leave our website, we encourage you to read the privacy policy of every website you visit to understand how your information will be handled.

The inclusion of any link does not imply our endorsement of the linked site or its content, nor does it imply any association with the site's operators.

13. Your Acknowledgment

By using our website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy, subject to your rights under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles that cannot be excluded by agreement.

You acknowledge that this Privacy Policy is governed by Australian privacy law and that your personal information will be handled in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles. You also acknowledge your right to lodge complaints with us or with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner if you have concerns about how we handle your personal information.

Thank you for trusting Simulations With You. We are committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with Australian law and providing you with a safe, relaxing space to unwind and enjoy our simulations and games.